Not quite. There are bacteria that extract energy from inorganic chemicals and can use it to fix carbon dioxide. No sunlight needed. And these bacteria form the basis of some impressively large and diverse deep sea vent communities, ultimately feeding all sorts of crabs and fish and giant tube worms and plenty of things we haven’t even discovered yet.
In cities, yeah. There are plenty of animals, garbage, and the occasional person who won’t be missed. But out in the woods, I think it’d be iffier. And you’d think they’d leave signs of their passage for the spelunkers to see. And they wouldn’t be so blind.
It appears that you’re right. I remembered D. audaxviator was unique in some particular regard, but it’s that it’s represents the first known “single-species ecosystem”, not that it doesn’t derive its energy from sunlight.
Has anyone yet suggested DRAGONS?
Do not fall & break a leg where the bat guano is 3 feet deep or more.
Or K.O. yourself.
The roaches, beetles & maggots might very well get you.
That reminds me, I have the DVD "C.H.U.D."at home. I need to get around to watching it.
I’m also going to say CHUDs 